The League of Women Voters of the Florence Area celebrated Women's Equality Day by honoring the female judges of the county. There are six female judges in Florence County who were honored at the event: Olanta Town Judge Lucy Coleman of Olanta; Florence County Magistrate Judge Kimberly Cox of Pamplico; Florence County Associate Chief Magistrate Judge Sandra Grimsley of Lake City; Florence County Magistrate Judge Wendy Lynch of Timmonsville; City of Florence Administrative Judge Debra Jackson of Florence; and Florence County Summary Court Judge Belinda Timmons.

The League of Women Voters of Spartanburg County County partnered with the Spartanburg County Historical Association to offer “Order in the Court!," a 5-day program for students using the judicial diversity workbook developed by the League last year. As part of "Order in the Court!," students drew pictures to illustrate the idea that “a diverse judiciary in South Carolina is important because it instills confidence in citizens that court decisions will be fair and impartial.” These illustrations were posted on the Spartanburg League's Facebook page, “The Gavel.”

The League of Women Voters of South Carolina will co-sponsor a conference, "Law Practice Diversity: Leadership, Communication, and Technology," on October 5, 2012, in Charleston. Speakers will include South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal, South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Kaye Hearn, United States Magistrate Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, Horry County Master-in-Equity Judge Cynthia Graham Howe, South Carolina Bar Association President-Elect Alice Paylor, and former Columbia College President Caroline Whitson.

When held up to legal scrutiny, there is no evidence of voter impersonation at the polls. However, millions could be disenfranchised and lose their right to vote because of photo ID laws enacted in a number of states.

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In addition to the radio ads, we recently aired in Maine and Tennessee on the importance of disclosure in general, our state and local Leagues across the country have also been working hard to ensure their Senators know we want them to stop secret spending and to give the voters the information they need to make informed decisions. Below are just some of the Letters to the Editors and Op Eds that our state and local Leagues have succeeded in getting published on the importance of disclosure.

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The League and its allies were successful in keeping voter ID bills from passing in a number of states including Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon and Virginia. Only Kansas, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have passed voter photo ID laws that are currently in effect. In retrospect, thanks to the Leagues ongoing work, we are better off than we had anticipated when the legislative sessions began!

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